Jiuzhaigou Dzitsa Degu

Jiuzhaigou is known to the indigenous Tibetans as Zitsa Degu (Wylie: gzi-rtsa sde-dgu).

Here the local lore how this beautiful place came into existence.

A long, long time ago, deep in the mountains lived a Daka by the name of Dargye. He and the Dakini, Wonor Semo fell in love.

One day Dargye presented Wonor Semo a beautiful shiny mirror, which he had polished with the wind and the clouds. Unfortunately, the mirror slipped from her hand and shattered. The shards turned into the 108 turquoise-colored lakes of Dzitsa Degu.

Most of these photos have been published in my papers on the vegetation of Jiuzhaigou. They are located under selected publications.

A valley (ca. 2800-4300m) west of Rize. In the foreground former pastures now with Salix sp., Betula chinensis, and Populus davidianasecondary growth (1) and reforested Piceapurpurea (2). Former clearcut area (3). In the shady slope's Abiesfaxoniana-Betula utilis-bamboo forest (4) the author encountered a Giant Pandas. On the valley floor fir-spruce-bamboo forests (5) are growing. The south-facing slope's forest (+) was destroyed by fire as well as by man and his grazing animals; little remains (6, Piceasp.). On the shady slope (7), which was destroyed several decades ago by forest fires as well, a secondary forest is regrowing. looking West. August 4, 1991, (Photo D.Winkler).

Looking ENE from Yala-Pass on the West boarder of Jiuzhaigou Preserve. In the foreground pristine primary forests, (3730m, August 21, 1991, Photo D.Winkler

Blue Lake shore near Shuzheng Village.

Old growth pine-fir-spruce forests.

August 1991, 2500m, Looking East, Photo D.Winkler

Larch- (Larix potaninii, 1) juniper- (Sabina sp., 2)spruce (Picea purpurea, 3) forest on the south-facing slope of a ridge, which was spared by a recent forest fire.From the northern slope Abies faxoniana (4) is coming up over the ridge. In the backgrounds clearcut areas from the 70ties (5) and forest free south exposition (6). Above Dangou, 3450m, SW-expo.., Jiuzhaigou, Jiuzhaigou/Nanping County, West Sichuan.

Birch grove (Betula utilis) overgrown with lichen (Usnea sp.) in a moist valley ground in 3200m on the way up to Yala-Pass. Tibetans know the lichens as Dakini hair. 3200m, August 21, 1991, Photo D.Winkler

Repeated burning keeps this slope above Panda Lake free from shrubs and trees. Salix spp. initiates forest succession in the humid lower part of the slope. In the far left and right some forest stands remain on rock outcrops. On the right 'horizon' note the dead conifers killed from fire while burning the slope. The pasture is reserved for winter grazing. Photo: D. Winkler 2.8.1991 (3,100 m a.s.l., towards N)

The upper reaches of the south slopes are especially heavily impacted by fire, which has destroyed most forests. Forest fragmentation is more common in the cloud forest belt (2,700 m-3,500 m). Here forest stands remain most commonly along creeks and on rocky outcrops. The E-W running ridges are lined by dark forests reaching over from the densely forested north slope. Photo: D. Winkler July 31, 1991 (2,650 m a.s.l. Towards N)

Dead Fargesianitida-bamboo in fir- (Abies faxoniana) spruce- (Picea wilsonii) forest with Betula albo-sinensis admixture of the middle cloud forest belt. Fargesia like most bamboos will die after flowering. It takes 5 to 15 years until it has reached its previous height. 2910m, W-expo. D. Winkler August 4, 1991, .- back to text -

The upper reaches of the south slopes are especially heavily impacted by fire, which has destroyed most forests. Forest fragmentation is more common in the cloud forest belt (2,700 m-3,500 m). Here forest stands remain most commonly along creeks and on rocky outcrops. The East-West running ridges are lined by dark forests reaching over from the densely forested north-facing slope. Photo: D. Winkler July 31, 1991 (2,650 m a.s.l. Towards N)